Lando Norris highlights major F1 driver issue: 'It's not what we're seeing this year'

Lando Norris has delivered his response to the regulation change from 2027 that will see shorter grand prix distances.

The rule has been introduced in response to the changes that are being made to the power units next year, which will hand more power output back to the combustion engine.

Many F1 drivers have voiced their disapproval of the current power units introduced this year, feeling their talents are less important, and the battery is the deciding factor when it comes to an overtake.

With an increase in fuel flow required to boost the engine output to a 420kW, the FIA decided to reduce the maximum race distance from 305km to 290km.

Norris insisted it is a good compromise for the sport to make and thinks the battery will prove to be less problematic next year.

“It's not that you push harder, you're just not having to think about the battery as often as you are this year, which is what we want as drivers,” Norris told media including RacingNews365.

“So it's a good compromise that we need to make to make our sport better and rely more on driving rather than who can look after a battery the best. 

“This is not what this sport is about; it's about which drivers can extract the most from the car, and that's not what we're seeing this year. 

“That's the compromise we have to make. It's a short-term compromise.”

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Norris expects eventual return to 305km distance

F1 and the FIA are already looking to the sport's next era and possible changes that could be made to the power units.

Norris anticipates that eventually, the sport will return to the distances that it is accustomed to.

“In a few years' time, when all engine manufacturers are on board with having more fuel again and having bigger tanks, then it's something we can go back to, the longer races and the races that we've always had in F1.

“But it's a compromise we have to make to suit all teams.”